
The 2008 SportDundee Awards were held at the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee on Wednesday 26 November 2008. The Awards aim to recognise and reward the efforts and commitment of local athletes, coaches, teams, clubs, officials and volunteers.
There were 12 categories of award with an independent panel of judges deciding on the top 3 nominees from each category. These nominees were invited to attend the Awards evening along with nominators, sponsors and representatives from Dundee City Council and local clubs and associations.
Due to illness, Tam Cowan was unable to fulfil his commitment to this year's event, however, the event still benefited from 2 great guest speakers. First up was Dave Nicoll, the Education Support Officer for Dundee City Council and former footballer who delivered a very entertaining speech to guests. Gordon Laird, a retired Assistant Principal of Dundee College and keen artist and sportsman also entertained the 200 guests with some sporting anecdotes.
As well as the 12 annual awards presented on the evening, this year saw the presentation of the Dundee City Council Olympic Roll of Honour. Although no Dundee athletes were selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, there were 2 officials selected as part of Team GB - Anne McRae (hockey) and Brian Littlejohn (water polo). Both were honoured on the evening for this fantastic achievement (see photo).
This year's award winners were as follows:
SportTayside & Fife Coach of the Year Award
Beate Petersen, Gymnastics
Dundee City Council Community Coach of the Year Award
Pam Bowie, Gymnastics
Dundee City Council Official of the Year
Anne McRae, Hockey
SALSC Local Service to Sport Lifetime Commitment Award
Jim McIlravey, Football
Dundee City Council Young Volunteer of the Year Award
Gavin Cruickshanks, Hockey
Dundee City Council Volunteer of the Year Award
Robin Paterson, Basketball
Dundee City Sports Council Young Team of the Year
Dundee Gymnastics Club 2K
University of Abertay Team of the Year Award
Bonagrass Grove Ladies Hockey Club 1st Team
Evening Telegraph Club of the Year Award
Dundee United Sports Club
Jenny Wood Allen Award
Andrew Gray, Swimming
Radio Tay Caring for Kids Young Sportsperson of the Year Award
Jordan Archibald, Gymnastics
Redwood Leisure Ltd Sportsperson of the Year Award
Becky Ward, Hockey
Congratulations to all the winners on their achievement!!
There are sponsorship opportunities available for the 2009 SportDundee Awards. The Sports Development Section will be looking to source event and trophy sponsors. If your company is interested in becoming involved in this prestigious event, please contact Alex Knight on 01382 432328 or at alex.knight@dundeecity.gov.uk for more information.
Official of the Year - David
Clark (Swimming)
Active official in swimming for over 10 years, starting as a timekeeper
and progressing to become a Judge and Starter. David officiates
at all club galas as well as local, District and National competitions,
devoting the majority of his weekends to the sport. David has become
an operator at Level 2 for the timekeeping system and is one of only a handful
of people in Midlands District qualified to do this.
Lifetime Commitment -
George Ferguson (Football / Disability Sport)
Been involved with children's and Youth football for 40 years with Broughty
United Youth Football Club and during this time has provided
thousands of children with the opportunity to participate in the sport.
Past president of Dundee & District Youth Football Association and a serving
member of the SFA's Children's Football Panel. George's efforts led to
the creation of the Discovery Games, raising the profile and participation
rates of disability sport in the city. Also an active coach in the area of
curling for athletes with a disability.
Young Volunteer of the Year - Siannon
Finnegan (Gymnastics)
Instrumental in the development of a number of gymnastics programmes
in Dundee including WAC and Newfields Gymnastics Clubs and the
Dundee Development Squad programme. Volunteers for 7 hours per week.
Responsible for assisting, planning and preparing children for school,
club and national governing body grade competitions, as well as judging and
scoring individuals and teams. Has attained her Level 1 Coaching qualification
as well as a judging qualification.
Volunteer of the Year - Robert Cassidy
(Boccia)
Chairman of Dundee Boccia Club. Has led the club to achieving affiliation
level of ClubDundee and he ensures that all policies and procedures
are adhered to. Takes on a number of roles within the club including
coach, referee and minibus driver.
Young Team of the Year - Finmill Midnight
League Boys (Football)
The squad of 7 boys won the regional North-East of Dundee Midnight league
without losing a match and went on to win the city-wide event.
They were also crowned 'Fair Play Team of the Year' for their exemplary
discipline.The team went on to compete in the East of Scotland Midnight
League Finals and were once again victorious, with 7 wins and 1 draw. Throughout
their run, they won over 30 competitive fixtures, demonstrated a great
fair play ethos and were tremendous ambassadors for the city of Dundee.
Team
of the Year - Dundee Wanderers Ladies Hockey 1st XI
The team dominated National League Division 2 triumphing unbeaten throughout
the whole league campaign, the only team in the Scottish National
Leagues to achieve this. The team also did well in the Scottish Cup reaching
the quarter finals. They are now in National League Division 1 and the
aim is to remain in this league and provide players with a high standard
of hockey on a weekly basis.
Club of the Year - Newfields Gymnastics Club
Newfields Gymnastics Club has become the first constituted school club
in Dundee. The club has forged strong links with the school,
the Sports Development Section, SportTayside & Fife and Scottish Gymnastics
for the purposes of working through ClubDundee, securing funding and
linking into the player pathway within Dundee. There is a commitment
to develop volunteers, coaches and officials and the club has been very
proactive in securing funding for this. The club's development is continuing
with a boys section being initiated and further specialist coach education
being organised - overall a very proactive club!!
Jenny Wood Allen Award -
Tricia Kirk (Bowling)
Tricia Kirk excelled herself once again this year within the sport of
bowls. She reached the Final of the Scottish Outdoor Bowls Championships
and retained her Scottish Carpet Bowls title. These successes
culminated in Tricia being selected to represent Scotland at the Bowls
for the Disabled World Championships in Australia.
Young Sportsperson
of the Year - Gavin Byers (Hockey)
Gavin Byers has developed his hockey skills tremendously during the last
12 months. Gavin by-passed the Scottish Under 18 Youth Team to
be part of the Scotland Under 21 Team that won the gold medal in the
European B Division Championships. Gavin's potential enabled him to participate
in the Super Sixes event which is a process for selecting the Great Britain
team from the best players from Scotland, England and Wales. He also
participated in trials for the Youth Olympics.
Sportsperson of the Year - Vikki
Bunce (Hockey)
Vikki was part of the Women's Indoor World Cup squad who finished a credible
8th in Vienna in February. In outdoor competition, Vikki was
a vital part of the team which was victorious in the Celtic Cup and European
Trophy, both competitions being won with an unbeaten record. She was
included in the Great Britain training squad from which the final team for
the Beijing Olympics will be selected.
The January 2009 - June 2009 calendar of coach education courses delivered by Dundee City Sports Council and Dundee City Sports Development Section in partnership with sportscoach UK, Children 1st and SportTayside and Fife, has been organised. All courses are held at the Forum, Olympia Leisure Centre and cost £20.00. Coaches with a disability and coaches who are under 18 years of age at the time of courses can book their place for £10.00. Please contact Liz Dillon on 01382 432 347 or e-mail alex.knight@dundeecity.gov.uk to reserve your place now! Details of upcoming courses can be viewed below.
SPORTS COACH UK DATES
Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Tuesday 20
January 2009
Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Wednesday 11 February 2009
In Safe Hands, Tuesday 3 March 2009
Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Wednesday 25 March 2009
Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Tuesday 5 May 2009
In Safe Hands, Wednesday 10 June 2009
First Aid Courses
The following 4 Hour Emergency First Aid courses have been organised for local clubs. Courses will take place in The Forum from 5.30pm - 9.30pm. Please contact Liz Dillon on 01382 432347 or e-mail alex.knight@dundeecity.gov.uk to book a place now:
4 Hour Emergency First Aid:
- 25 February 2009
- 27 April 2009
(Courses will take place in The Forum, Olympia Leisure Centre from 5.30pm - 9. 30pm. Cost £45)
For information on Sport Specific
courses, please contact the relevant sports development officer (see
Sports
Directory Section for contact details).